Liquid dispensing device



June 25, 1940. 1'. WARD 2,205 ,938

LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 I MW Zazw'erzce 2: aid

June 25, 1940. L. T. WARD LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE File -'1 July 13, 1939 'S sheets sheet 2 m n h M & E I wHMiL IIMEILI: Q O 0 TL? 0 m@ :w fi r 5% F l 5rr 1 4 j Z/ Zea/rental? M a rd June'25, 1940; A.5 2,205,938

LIQUID DISPENS ING- DEVICE Filed July 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- .Z emeZfWJd Patented June 25, 1940 PATENT OFFICE LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Lawrence'T. Ward, East Orange, N. J.,

uaignor to Knapp-Monarch Company, St. Louis, Ma, a

corporation of Application 'July 13, 1939. Serial Ida 284,351

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a liquid. dispensing device for general applications and has particular reference to a dispenser wherein a charge of compressed gas is utilized as a source of pressure to force a desired quantity of liquidv from a con-' tainer.

The main object of the invention is to provide a liquid discharge device or head that may be readily secured to a sealed metallic container and, thereafter, manipulated to controllably force the liquid from the container.

Another object is to provide a liquid dispensing head embodying a sealed compressed gas capsule with associated means for simultaneously piercing the capsule and the sealed outlet of the liquid container to which the head is secured.

A further object is to provide, in a dispensing head, a piercing device and means associated therewith for controlling the direction of liquid flow and the pressure of gas applied to the liquid.

Another object is to provide a liquid dispensing head that is simple and practical in construction, easy to operate, and inexpensive to manufacture.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a general view showing the dispensing head in position on a liquid containing reservoir;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in section, showing the relation of parts prior to piercing of the seals;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the relation of parts after a piercing operation;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the various parts shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a modified container seal;

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of a piercing pin;

Fig. 7 is a view of parts in piercing position;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a bulb holder;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of parts shown in Fig. 7; and 4 Figs. 10 and 11 show modified forms of bulb holders.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figs. 1 to 3 show the improved dispensing head i secured to a metallic container 2 which is provided with a threaded closure cap 3 which has a sealing plate t. The head 4 comprises a piercing pin casing 5 which is provided with a discharge nozzle 5. A

gas bulb holder 1 adapted to retain a bulb 8 is secured to the casing 5 by means of a threaded connection 9 in the usual manner to permit ad- Vancement of the bulb towards a piercing pin upon rotation of the holder. The free end of the casing 5 is formed to engage the cap 3 by means of a threaded connection l0.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of a pair of aligned piercing pins II and I2. The pin H is positioned to engage the end seal of the bulb 8 and has a gas passage l3 formed centrally therethrough. The pin I2 is positioned to engage the container sealing plate A piercing pin washer I8 is positioned to sur- A choking disc'20 is positioned loosely 'between the pins II and I2 and is formed preferably of convex or conical shape, while the adjacent opposed end faces of the pins ll and I2 are given a. corresponding shape and in a manner to en-,

sure pro'per seating of the disc 20 upon the pins and more properly control the flow of gas around this disc. The disc 20 is formed preferably of copper or similar soft metal which has the qualities of ample rigidity and desired softness to serve as an effective gas seal through metal to metal contact. The disc 20 may be made of fibrous or like material if desired. v

Figure showsa modified form of container wherein the use of aclosure cap is eliminated. The wall of the container is extended and formed to provide a threaded extension 2| adapted to engage the threads I!) on the casing 5. A frangible sealing plate 22 serves as a closure for the extension 2 l which plate is readily punctured by the pin I2.

In the operation of' the dispenser disclosed, with the parts in relative positions as 'shown in round the pin-II and is retained by a ring l9.

Fig. 2 and with a bulb 8 within the holder 1, rotation of the latter will cause the bulb to advance against the pin II. The pressure from the bulb upon this pin is passed through the disc 20 and the pin 12 to cause the pins ll, l2 and disc 20 to move as a unit to force the pin l2 against the container seal which may be scored, if desired, for easy puncturing thereof. The container seal offers the least resistance and is punctured first and the pin I2 will advance until the flange I1 thereon engages against the pin or body casing v a desired amount of gas may be admitted to the container. This gas flows through the orifice I3 and then around the disc 20 and finally through the orifice l4 and into the container, thereafter rising to the top of the liquid therein and forces this liquid out through the nozzle 6. By varying the flow of gas, the operator may adjust the fluid discharge to any desired stream. Obviously, the inversion of the container to its normal upright position will permit the flow of liquid to cease and the gas flow may be reduced or cut oi! by screwing up the bulb holder. The washer l8 en: sures that no gas will be lost through leakage.

While the valve plate or disc has been shown in a conical form, it is to be understood that various other Iorms may be substituted in a manner to extend transversely across the ends of the gas passages. Such other forms may comprise a.

flat disc or a convex disc or even a choking member of spherical form, in which cases, the adiacent opposed ends of the pins will be shaped in accordance with the form of choking member therebetween.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 6 to 9, a bulb holder 2| is provided which eliminates the use of a separate head as shown in Fig. 1 and permits the use of an integral nozzle and piercing pin. The holder 2| is threaded. at 22 to directly engage the threads 23 on the container 24.

The nozzle 25 is shownas formed integral with the container seal piercing pin 26 and this pinnozzle unit is extended and formed to provide a chamber 21 which houses the bulb piercing pin 28 and another chamber 29 which houses the bulbseal washer 30. A valve disc 3| is positioned between the pins 25 and 28 in a manner shown tor Fig. 2. Gas conduits 32 and 33 are provided in pins 28 and .28, respectively, and a washer 33 serves to seal the pin and container.

Fig. 8 shows a preferred manner of permanently. supporting the nozzle-pin unit 25-46 within and adjacent the open end of the holder 2|. The nozzle is formed cut away to provide a nozzle opening 34 and a restricted opening 35 narrower than the nozzle to retain same within the opening 34. In order to permit the nozzle to be positioned, the extreme ,outerend of the holder 2| is sprimg or deformed as shown by dotted lines at 36 and, after the nozzle is positioned within its opening 34, the holder is forced back to its original cylindrical form.

As an alternative form, the upper end 31 of the holder may be made as a separate piece as shown in Fig. 10 and this piece may be brazed thereto to retain the nozzle. In Fig. 11, another alternative form may comprise a separate piece or plug 38 which may be permanently or detachably positioned to close the opening 34 after the nozzle is positioned therein.

It will be noted that the casing or bulb holder 2| is formed to completely retain and enclose all associated parts including the pins 26 and 28 and the bulb 40. In this form of the invention, a minimum number of separate parts are employed and in a manner to provide a device that is simple in construction and operation and one that may be manufactured at minimum cost.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 6 and '1 is very similar to that shown in Fig. 2. A bulb 39 is positioned in the holder 2| with the pin 28 in contact with the bulb" seal. The holder 2| may then be screwed onto the threaded neck or the can 24. A continued rotation of the holder will first cause the seal 29 to be pierced and the pin 25 will then engage the end of the container neck with the gasket 33' compressed. The pin 26, having reached its extreme upper position, will permit the pin 28 to pierce the bulb seal upon further and final rotation of the holder 2|. At this instant, little or no gas can flow from the bulb 40 due to the fact thatthe valve liquid to be 2| has partly sealed the conduit 33. In order to permit gas to flow freely through conduits l3 and 22, the holder 2| is rotated slightly in a reverse direction or until valve 3| is loosened to permit gas to flow therearound and into the container 24 to force liquid therefrom through the nozzle 25.

The dispenser disclosed may be used in connection with flre extinguishers using carbon tetrachloride or similar fluids. Containers oi the type disclosed may be filled with iumigating or insecticide materials, acids, chemicals or a tear gas liquid, and such liquids may readily be sprayed by the use of the dispenser head disclosed.

In the practice of this invention, neither the dispensed nor the container or gas cylinder are disturbed until same are ready for use. II the liquid is subject to evaporation or deterioration, neither can occur while the container is sealed. In prior art devices wherein gas bulbs are used to dispense liquids, the various parts or the apparatus are subjected to corrosive or galvanic action tending to reduce or prevent eflicient operation of the dispensing apparatus due to presence of liquid, and gradual loss of gas pressure results from leakage because no practical control of gas pressure is inherent in such apparatus. According to this invention, the liquid and gas remains in sealed containers until ready for use, thereby avoiding the objections above set forth.

By providing a screwthreaded dispensing head as disclosed, it may be applied to a threaded can wherein a cap closure is provided with a standard thread or the dispensing head may be applied directly to a threaded can outlet which is closedby a frangible sealing plate. Such plate or a threaded cap, if used, may have a scored area to ensure a ready puncture. Such a dispensing head may be used over and over again on aseries of containers with a new gas bulb for each container used. The means for gas control disclosed offers the advantage of variability of the speed and distance of liquid discharge, an essential. factor in several of the uses above described. Such form of gas control also ensures that dangerous gas pressures will not be developed within liquid containers of relatively light types.

What I claim is:

1. A dispensing device comprising a casing, an open-ended chamber formed in the casing, a pair of aligned piercing pins slidably mounted in said chamber and being oppositely directed towards respective ends of the chamber, one pin being provided with an axially extending chamber, the other pin being freely slidable within said axial chamber, a gas passage extending through each pin, means for supporting a container to be pierced at each opposite end of the casing and a discharge nozzle operably associated with the casing to dispense a fluid from one of the containers.

2. A dispensing device comprising a casing, an open-ended chamber formed in the casing, a pair of aligned piercing pins slidably mounted in said chamber and being oppositely directed towards respective ends of the chamber, a gas passage extending through each pin, means for supporting a container to be pierced at each end of the casing, a discharge nozzle operably associated with the casing to dispense a fluid from one of the containers, and a gas flow control device positioned between said pins transverse to the gas passages and in contact with the pins.

3. A dispensing device comprising a casing, a

liquid discharge orifice associated with the casing, 7

an open-ended chamber formed'in the casing, a pair of aligned piercing pins slidably mounted in said chamber and being oppositely directed towards respective ends of the chamber, a gas passage extending through each pin, and a gas flow control device positioned between said pins transversely of said gas passages.

4. In a device as set forth in claim 3, means for detachably securing a liquid container and a gas bulb respectively to opposite ends of the casing.

5. A dispensing device comprising a casing, an open-ended chamber formed in the casing, a pair of aligned piercing pins slidably mounted in said chamber and being oppositely directed towards respective ends of the chamber, a gas passage extending through each pin and a gas flow control device positioned between said pins transversely of said passages, cooperating means on one pin and the wall of said chamber for limiting movement of said pin. in one direction, said control device being operative to vary the flow of gas by pressure exerted between the pins upon the device.

6. A dispensing device comprising a casing, a liquid discharge orifice in communication with the casing, an open-ended chamber formed in the casing, a pair of aligned tubular piercing pins in said chamber oppositely directed towards respective ends of the chamber, a gas control device F positioned between said pins adjacent the opposed ends thereof, means for detachably securing one end of the casing to a liquid container with a sealed outlet thereon adjacent one piercing pin, means for supporting and moving asealed gas bulb with the seal thereof in contact with the other piercing pin, whereby movement of the bulb will cause said pins to move in unison towards the sealed outlet of the container.

7. A dispensing device adapted to be detachably secured to a liquid container in alignment with a seal to be pierced, comprising a body casing, said casing having a chamber therein open at opposite ends thereof, a liquid discharge orifice communicating with said chamber, a piercing device slidably mounted in said chamber, means for supporting a sealed gas containing bulb with the seal thereof adjacent said device, said device having a tubular piercing pin positioned to engage the bulb seal and a second tubular pin; positioned to engage the container seal means for causing bulb seal to engage the associated pin and thereafter move the piercing device to cause the other pin to engage the container seal, and means operably associated with said device and responsive to bulb pressure thereon for varying the flow of gas from the bulb to the container through said pins.

8. A dual piercing pin and valve unit comprising a pair of oppositely directed piercing pins, a gas passage in each pin, a valve member positioned between said pins, said member being operable to vary the flow of gas in accordance with pressure exerted through said pins upon the valve member.

9. A dispensing device comprising a casing having a liquid discharge orifice, an open-ended chamber formed in the casing, a pair of aligned piercing pins siidably mounted in said chamber and being oppositely directed towards respective ends ofthe chamber, a gas passage extending through each pin, a gas fiow control device positioned between said pins transversely of said passages, cooperating stops on one pin and on the wall of said chamber, movement of the other pin adapted to cause movement of the first-named pin and engagement of said stops and thereafter permitting pressure to be applied to the control device through pressure applied to said other pin, and b means to force a sealed gas capsule towards said other pin with the capsule seal in contact therewith.

10. In a dispensing device, a casing open at opposite ends thereof and being formed to provide a chamber between the open ends of the casing, a pair of piercing pins slidably mounted in said chamberand being directed oppositely towards a respective open end, a gas flow passage extending through each pin,.a gas flow control device arranged between said pins in position to close said passages, a liquid-discharge orifice communicate ing with said chamber, means for securing a sealed liquid container to one end of said casing with the container seal in contact with one pin, means for forcing a sealed gas bulb towards said other pin with the bulb seal in contact with said other pin whereby said pins willbe moved in unison to cause the first-named pin to pierce the container seal. 11. A dispensing head for a sealed fluid con- I tainer comprising a housing, an open-ended chamber within the housing, one end of the housing being threaded to engage a threaded portion of the container, means adjacent the other end' of the housing for supporting a sealed gas bulb, a pair of aligned piercing pins slidably mounted in said chamber and being oppositely directed, a gas 4 on one end of the housing for supporting a sealed 0 gas bulb, the other end of the'housing being threaded to engage a threaded portion of a container, one pin being positioned adjacent said threaded end for engaging the container seal, the other pin being positioned to contact the'seal of the bulb, whereby rotation of the holder to engage the container will cause movement of the bulb j and pins towards the container.

13. A bulb holder housing comprising a chamber, one end of the housing being threaded to engage a threaded portion of a sealed fluid container, the other end of the housing being formed to receive a sealed gas bulb, a piercing mechanism having oppositely directed tubular piercing pins slidably arranged in'said chamber and positioned to engage, respectively, the seals of the container and bulb, whereby rotation of the holder to engage the container will move the bulb and pins towards the container seal and thereafter pierce the container seal and the bulb seal.v

14. In a bulb holder housing as set forth in claim 13, an opening in the wall of the housing adjacent its threaded end, and a .fluid dispensing nozzle extending from the container piercing pin and through said opening.

'15. Ina bulb holder housing as set forth in claim 13, 'a gas control device positioned between the pins in contact therewith and transverse to the openings therethrough, said device being effective to prevent flow of'gas' through the pins when the pins are forced one towards the other. I Lawrence '1'. wimp. 

